Archipelagic Void: The 23rd Serpentine Pavilion
Serpentine is thrilled to unveil the 23rd Pavilion, "Archipelagic Void," designed by Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his esteemed firm, Mass Studies. Opening on Friday, 7 June 2024, and supported by Goldman Sachs for the tenth consecutive year, this innovative structure promises to be a landmark of contemporary architecture.
Serpentine is thrilled to unveil the 23rd Pavilion, "Archipelagic Void," designed by Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his esteemed firm, Mass Studies. Opening on Friday, 7 June 2024, and supported by Goldman Sachs for the tenth consecutive year, this innovative structure promises to be a landmark of contemporary architecture.
A Masterpiece of Design
The Pavilion, aptly named "Archipelagic Void," consists of five distinct islands, each unique in size, form, and purpose. These islands form a cohesive platform for Serpentine's vibrant live programme. Collectively, they create a dynamic space, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding park.
To mark the Pavilion's debut, Minsuk Cho will speak with Serpentine Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist on opening day. They will explore the inspirations behind this year's Pavilion, Cho's architectural philosophy, and the rich history of this prestigious commission.
Innovative Structure
At the heart of "Archipelagic Void" lies a central void, surrounded by adaptable structures reminiscent of the traditional Korean madang, or open courtyard. Each island functions as a "content machine" with a specific name and purpose:
The Gallery: The main entrance features a six-channel sound installation by musician and composer Jang Young-Gyu. His piece, The Willow is <버들은> in the Summer and Moonlight <월정명> in the Autumn, weaves together natural sounds from Kensington Gardens with traditional Korean music, reflecting the changing seasons.
The Library: Created by artist Heman Chong and archivist Renée Staal, this living reference library, The Library of Unread Books, invites visitors to contribute unread books, fostering a communal pool of knowledge.
The Tea House: Situated to the east, this space pays homage to the Serpentine building's history as a teahouse from 1934 until the early 1960s before its transformation into an art gallery.
The Auditorium: The largest structure, located to the west, is designed for public gatherings and will host performances and talks. Its walls feature benches built into them to accommodate audiences.
The Play Tower: This pyramid structure, featuring a bright orange netscape, provides a playful space for visitors to climb and interact.
Engaging Programmes
The Pavilion will host Serpentine's renowned Park Nights, an annual interdisciplinary series featuring music, poetry, performance, and dance. Highlights include:
Dance Performance by Eun-Me Ahn: On 28 and 29 June, choreographer Eun-Me Ahn and her company will present a captivating dance performance.
Poetry Night: On 19 July, internationally acclaimed poets Don Mee Choi and Denise Riley, along with special guests, will deliver an evening of evocative poetry.
In addition, in July, Serpentine Arts Technologies will explore the nexus of technology, property, and ecology. The Fairclouds project, a collaborative artwork initiated by Tomás Saraceno and the Salinas Grandes communities in Argentina, will be highlighted. Visitors can become stewards of this work by purchasing a partial ownership license, supporting indigenous communities and joining an international network of stewards.
Further details of the Pavilion's live programme and events will be announced soon. As we celebrate this remarkable blend of architecture, art, and community, Please join at Serpentine South from 7 June to 27 October 2024 for an unforgettable experience.
Please visit: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org for more details.
About the Architect:
Minsuk Cho, Mass Studies. Photo © Mok Jungwook.
Minsuk Cho was born in Seoul and graduated from the Architectural Engineering Department of Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea) and the Graduate School of Architecture at Columbia University (New York, USA). After working in various firms, including OMA Rotterdam, he established Cho Slade Architecture in 1998 in New York City with partner James Slade. In 2003, he returned to Korea to open his own firm, Mass Studies.
Cho has garnered numerous accolades over the course of his career. Notable among these achievements are his first prize win in the 1994 Shinkenchiku International Residential Architecture Competition and the Architectural League of New York’s Young Architects Award in 2000 for his contributions at Cho Slade Architecture. He also received two U.S. Progressive Architecture Awards (Citations) in 1999 and 2003. His work with Mass Studies earned two nominations for the International Highrise Award (Deutsches Architekturmuseum-DAM), once as a finalist in 2008 for Boutique Monaco and again in 2010 for S-Trenue. The Korea Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai was honoured with the Silver Award in the “Pavilion Design” category from the Bureau of International Expositions, accompanied by a Presidential Citation from the Korean government. Cho co-curated the exhibition “Named Design” at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011, in collaboration with Anthony Fontenot under the direction of Seung H-Sang and Ai Weiwei. In June 2014, Minsuk Cho received the prestigious Golden Lion Award for the Best National Pavilion while serving as the commissioner and co-curator of the Korean Pavilion at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia. Cho was recognised further by receiving the Hwagwan Medal Order of Cultural Merit from the Korean government.
Cho’s work with Mass Studies had been presented in various exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2004 and 2010, the Vitra Museum travelling exhibition “Open House” from 2006 to 2008, and a solo show titled “Before/After: Mass Studies Does Architecture” at the PLATEAU Samsung Museum of Art in Seoul in 2014. Mass Studies’ architectural designs and presentations are part of the collections and archives of the MoMA (New York), DAM (Frankfurt), Art Institute Chicago, and the Mokchon Architecture Archive (Seoul). Additionally, the 5th edition of Kenneth Frampton’s canonical “Modern Architecture: A Critical History” (2020, Thames & Hudson) highlights Cho and his work in the added South Korea chapter. Minsuk Cho is also an active lecturer and speaker, participating in symposia worldwide.
